Certain texts are characterized by precision, such as mathematical proofs, standard operating procedures, code, protocols, and laws. Their authority, power, and usefulness stem from this quality. Criticizing them for being imprecise is justified.
Other texts require readers to use their common sense to fill in the gaps. The logic from A to B to C may not always be clearly expressed, and statements that appear inconsistent on their own can make sense in context. If readers demand precision, they will not derive value from such texts and may criticize the author for not providing it.
However, if the author never claimed to be precise or rigorous and instead warned readers of the imprecisions they would encounter, it is unreasonable to criticize them for this specific type of defect. Readers can still criticize them for pointing in the wrong direction with their argument or for other flaws such as being boring, rude, or deliberately misleading.
If the text provides value despite the imprecisions and if readers choose to complain about the gaps instead of using their own insights to fill them in, then it is their expectations that are the problem.
Certain texts are characterized by precision, such as mathematical proofs, standard operating procedures, code, protocols, and laws. Their authority, power, and usefulness stem from this quality. Criticizing them for being imprecise is justified.
Nope; precision has nothing to do with intrinsic value. If Ashley asks Blaine to get her an apple from the fridge, many would agree that 'apple' is a rather specific thing, but if Blaine was insistent on being dense he can still say "Really? An apple? How vague! There are so many possible subatomic configurations t... (read more)